Muhammad Ali’s Estranged Son Pens Touching Poem to His Late Father

Ali Jr. hadn't seen his dad in years, but is making peace with him upon his death.

Muhammad Aliwas laid to rest on Friday, and thousands descended on Louisville, Kentucky to pay their respects. One person who decided to grieve in a special way was the boxer’s own son and namesake, Muhammad Ali Jr.

The 38-year-old recently made news after claiming that despite his fathers fame and fortune, Ali Jr. was living in poverty in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Southside of Chicago.

He was in attendance with his mother, Kalilah Ali, to lay his father to rest. After a recent announcement that all of Ali’s children would have the opportunity to speak at Friday’s memorial service, Ali Jr. prepared a few words.

“This is a story about going to bury my father, Muhammad Ali. It is sunny not gloomy as you can see. If he was alive he would say ‘even the bees love me.’ Father’s Day is just a week away, so I’m going to take this moment to say, I know I’m early but happy Father’s Day. I love you, Muhammad Ali,” he wrote. Adding, “You see Allah is with me, right next to float like a butterfly sting like a bee.”

The service was held in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center, to accommodate the thousands that came to pay their respects to the champ.